Chapter 28

Vivian Bennett instantly became the target of everyone's hostility.

All eyes in the private dining room turned to her with accusation.

Only Emily Davis stepped forward.

"Didn't you all see Zachary Hudson make the first move? He got angry and ran off. Why blame Vivian?"

Fiona Clark let out a derisive laugh.

"It was an honor for Mr. Hudson to show interest in her. Who is she trying to fool with this act of purity?"

The surrounding colleagues nodded in agreement.

Vivian and Emily stared at them in disbelief.

Were they supposed to feel grateful for being harassed?

Hannah Green, the deputy manager, looked coldly at Vivian.

"If you're unwilling to make such small sacrifices, Vivian, you should leave the PR department now."

She turned and led everyone away, leaving Vivian behind.

Vivian stood frozen in place.

Was Hannah suggesting she should accept an under-the-table deal?

Was this how the PR department secured contracts?

She finally understood why the manager only selected young, attractive employees for these dinners.

They were essentially being offered up for Zachary Hudson's selection.

But Zachary wasn't truly interested in her.

This was his revenge for her rejecting him during their blind date.

He deliberately humiliated her in public.

And he succeeded.

Now she felt not only humiliated but had become the department's enemy.

Vivian and Emily walked out of the private dining room.

They stopped at the hotel entrance, stunned.

The company shuttle bus was already gone.

"They actually left us behind?" Emily exclaimed.

Vivian's expression turned grim. "It appears so."

Emily stamped her foot in frustration. "It's so far from the city center. How do we get back?"

Vivian felt guilty. "I'm sorry for getting you involved in this."

Emily immediately shook her head. "Don't say that. We're both newcomers. We should look out for each other."

Vivian felt deeply moved.

People as principled as Emily were rare these days.

"Let's ask the hotel if they have any cars available," Vivian suggested.

They turned toward the front desk.

They didn't notice Liam Sullivan standing just a few steps away.

He had come to the hotel tonight for a business meeting.

His business partner was respectfully seeing him out.

Liam's stern profile revealed no emotion.

But his peripheral vision had already settled on Vivian.

His hearing was exceptionally sharp.

He had caught every word of their conversation.

Especially Emily's statement about "rejecting Zachary Hudson's advances."

Liam's brow furrowed abruptly.

His handsome face instantly chilled with frosty intensity.